Senior Planning Officer

Senior Planning Officer – Planning Management

Permanent

Grade: C Salary: £35,412 - £44,075 per annum Hours: 36.5 hours per week on a hybrid basis

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Equal Pay Programme

About Birmingham City Council

These are exciting times to be working at Birmingham City Council, one of the largest and most exciting Local Planning Authorities in the country.

The continued growth of the city and the region is at the heart of the council's priorities. As a member of the Planning and Development service, you will be integral to capitalising on the significant development across the city.

The city has, and will continue to experience significant employment, housing and retail growth and this needs to be planned for, to accommodate development pressure alongside protecting and retaining the City's natural and built assets. The service is at the centre of this ambitious growth programme, and we are seeking talented and driven people to deliver it.

About the role

Birmingham City Council are looking to recruit experienced and motivated Senior Planning Officers to join our Planning Management teams within the Planning and Development service.

This is a key role supporting the delivery of a full range of planning and development services, including the management of planning applications, appeals, and wider regeneration and policy work. You will play an important part in shaping sustainable growth across Birmingham, working with a wide range of partners, communities, and stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

In this varied role, you will:

• Manage planning applications through assessment, consultation, and reporting processes
• Undertake site visits and represent the Council at meetings, including Planning Committee where required
• Prepare reports and provide professional recommendations in line with planning policy and legislation
• Handle planning appeals, including preparing written statements and attending hearings or inquiries
• Provide pre-application advice to developers and landowners to support appropriate development
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of planning policies, development frameworks, and regeneration plans
• Engage with local communities and stakeholders, ensuring inclusive participation in planning processes
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, partners, and external organisations to deliver key projects and initiatives

About you

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

Qualifications & professional membership

• A degree in Planning or a related discipline
• The role requires that you have, or are working towards, RTPI membership

Experience & knowledge

• Strong knowledge of the planning system, planning law, and development processes
• Experience of handling planning applications and contributing to planning decisions
• Experience of working with stakeholders and supporting public consultation activities
• Understanding of policy development, regeneration frameworks, and development viability

Skills & abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of people and organisations
• Experience of using IT systems, including GIS, to support planning work

Application requirements

Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application. This is required for shortlisting.

Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.

Additional information

Disability Confident Leader employer: Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We are a disability confident employer and we encourage applicants with disabilities to apply. We also welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.

Right to work in the UK: Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment. Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) may need to apply for a visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and may require a Certificate of Sponsorship from Birmingham City Council for a skilled worker visa (if the job is eligible).

Accessibility support: We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

Informal enquiries: Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk, quoting ref 4303

Application deadline: We strive to advertise all roles for a minimum of two weeks. However, due to high application volumes vacancies may close earlier than the stated deadline. We encourage you to submit your application without delay to ensure consideration.

Safeguarding: Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.